The Committee on Energy and Commerce is the oldest standing legislative committee (established 1795) in the U.S. House of Representatives and is vested with the broadest jurisdiction of any congressional authorizing committee. Today, the committee has responsibility for matters including telecommunications, consumer protection, food and drug safety, public health and research, environmental quality, energy policy, and interstate and foreign commerce among others. The committee is led by Chairman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) and Ranking Member Frank Pallone (NJ-06). E&C Website: https://energycommerce.house.gov E&C X: https://x.com/HouseCommerce E&C Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/energyandcommerce/ E&C Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/energyandcommerce/
Thank you. Good afternoon, Chairwoman Fox and Ranking Member McGovern. I'm pleased to be here
to discuss a bill and a resolution today that demonstrate how the Energy and Commerce Committee
continues to work to improve the lives of Americans. First, I'm pleased to speak in
support of H.R. 4690, the Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act, led by my friend and your
colleague on this committee, Congressman Langworthy. This legislation would repeal a ban
on fossil fuels for new and renovated federal buildings. Current law requires the Department
of Energy to revise federal energy efficiency standards to eliminate the use of fossil fuels
in new and renovated federal buildings by 2030. Unfortunately, renewable energy cannot
be expected to perform. Take this past January when winter storm Fern, when coal and natural
gas significantly increased their output to meet demand while New England burning
trash contributed, while in New England burning trash contributed more energy than wind and
solar combined. This legislation does not say federal buildings cannot use renewable energy.
The bill simply reverses a top-down mandate that eliminates energy choice. If an energy
source can contribute to the electricity mix without a parallel reliable backup like natural
gas, then there's nothing prohibiting its consideration. Based on experience, however,
wind and solar have not been able to keep up. Republicans, this Congress has fought for
consumer choice, allowing Americans to make the best decisions for themselves when it comes to
appliances, vehicles, and how they power their homes. That's why I'm also here today to support
H.R. 1182, which highlights several additional ways in which the House of Republicans has sought
to strengthen rural communities this Congress. For example, we have enacted legislation to
such as reversing Department of Energy's restrictions on LNG and requiring FERC
approval that grid policies will preserve electricity and reliability. House Republicans
have worked to enhance health care quality and access. We've also bolstered health resources
for rural communities. We have also enacted the SUPPORT Act and the HALT FEDNO Act to provide
crucial resources to rural communities devastated by the opioid crisis. The Energy and Commerce
Committee and the House Republican Conference have worked hard and continue to work hard
this Congress to celebrate economic growth and opportunity for the American people.
I look forward to your questions and I yield back.
